Alltech's Asia-Pacific Tour focuses on crisis

Over 2,000 animal feed industry professionals gathered at 22 meetings throughout Asia-Pacific over a two week period to attend Alltech's 22nd Asia-Pacific Lecture Tour. The participants came to hear from Dr. Pearse Lyons and other speakers about new technologies that can help producers overcome some of the challenges facing the agriculture industry today.

Dr. Lyons started the tour in Tokyo, Japan on Monday, 15 June, challenging the audience to be leaders in the industry - not followers - as they are faced with what he calls the “sustainability crisis”. He spoke of John F. Kennedy, who once talked about being aware of a danger in a crisis, but never forgetting to recognise the opportunity. “We need leaders who can absorb the uncertainty of the current situation and bring their teams and businesses forward,” Dr. Lyons said.

Representing Alltech’s Research and Development team, Dr. Karl Dawson, Director of Worldwide Research, Alltech, brought excitement of nutrigenomics to audiences around the region, highlighting the effects nutrition can have on gene expression. “By understanding what is occurring at the gene level, we can tailor our programmes to ensure the best possible outcome for our animals. Nutrigenomics is showing tremendous potential for animal production systems - it's a whole new world!" exclaimed Dr. Dawson. They explained the science behind Alltech’s latest research efforts, including the rapid development in 52 days of EconomasEÒ. “EconomasE and what we are learning with the gene chip is redefining vitamin E nutrition.”

Dr. Alison Leary, Alltech Asia-Pacific Technical Manager, explained how in the face of continuing concerns over the availability and cost of traditional ingredients corn and soya, the power of solid state fermentation is enabling feed millers and integrators to unlock the energy stored in fibre. She highlighted the ability to achieve diet flexibility and therefore assist with profitability.